the destruction of the Bill as 'twas sent up to them by the Commons, my Lord Angelsea and Lord Bullingbrook have carry'd a clause that the house of commons did not think fitt to send up to the lords for fear of the loss of the whole Bill, wch was to extend the Bill thro'out the Kingdome of Ireland. The Duke of Shrewsbury came time enough to give his vote against it, but notwithstanding that 'twas carry'd by six.
Last week the Commons were out of humour with the ways and means projected by Mr. Lounds, so that they have all to begin again. All the Lawyers were against an additional duty upon the Stamps, and all the Scotch against that of Soap; but there will be ways and means found to bring some of these off, and then the Court will carry it their own way, espicially sence yesterday there was nothing but trifling propositions offer'd to the House, as a tax upon pins, &c. Our Coffee house Politians say this matter has been lett slip a purpose to show that the T—— has lost his interest in the house of Commons, and then comes another lord and musters up his forces, and carries the very things that was before rejected. I have heard the under strapers of that Lord blame the management that these projects were not sooner laid before the house, that tho' they do carry it their own way they must be forc't to keep the house so much longer time setting. Other people think this is all farce and that there's no falling out between the great men. Lord T—— has voted all along for the Bill, wch 'twas thought he wou'd not have done if they differ'd in earnest.
[Lord Bathurst.]
My Lord,
I acquainted your Lordship in my last what a sad Dearth of News and Politicks we labour'd under, and I was in great hopes that this bill of Scism wou'd have occasion'd some Debate that might have furnisht me with matter for your Entertainment. Itt was for that reason I deferr'd writing
